The Hindu

Mangalore, May 9: The first flight to Mangalore from Dubai by a State-owned airline is unlikely to land at the Bajpe Airport on May 21 as expected, according to sources.

The sources told on Monday that the operation of an aircraft between Dubai-Mangalore and Mangalore-Dubai was likely to be delayed.

A meeting at the airport on April 27 reportedly decided that the immigration and customs facilities at the airport should be ready by May 21 to enable the State-owned airline to start its Dubai-Mangalore flight on May 21. The meeting was attended among others by the Principal Secretary, State Home Affairs, Inspector General of Police, Intelligence (Security), the director of the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Bajpe Airport, the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of Dakshina Kannada, president and secretary of the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), and officials from the Commissionerate of Customs, Mangalore.

Based on the outcome of the discussions, the sources said, the AAI, a week ago, reportedly wrote to the authorities of the State-owned airline that it could start its operation from the airport on May 21 as customs and immigration facilities would be ready.

Earlier, the authorities of the airline had reportedly conveyed to the AAI that the airline needs at least 15 days to take up promotional activities before starting the operation. Now they are reportedly seeking a month's time to take up promotional activities.

• Mangalore: Union Government Declares Bajpe a Customs Airport Read on